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FOR TWENTY YEARS
Our Mission: Inspire Stewardship of Pennsylvania's State Parks and Forests
Power Line Vista Overlooking Belleville
Samantha Markovich - Greenwood Furnace State Park
Thank you all for the kind words as I move through the poison ivy journey. I finally had to give in and get myself to the doctor for a course of prednisone stuff. I really didn't want to do it, but the relief was nearly immediate. I've made Bill promise that if this EVER happens again he will make me see my medical professional immediately.
It's a newsy week below so I wanted to put a request here up top - we are about to embark upon our next five-year strategic planning process and would love your input into where our focus should (or should not) be in the years ahead. Please visit surveymonkey.com/r/PPFFMembersDonorsand take a few minutes to weigh in.
Thanks to PPFF member Samantha for this shot overlooking Belleville. Photoshop experts would be able to make those power lines disappear but then we'd have to change the name of the Vista!
Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
News of Note
We're going video crazy! Give PPFF a new toy and we're off to the races.
First off, a glimpse at the accessible boat launch at Little Buffalo State Park, funded by donations and installed with the great work of park staff. It's being used and is much appreciated by many. I believe this is the first of the accessible docks we have installed that feature both a rolling accessible launch side with a transfer bench for wheelchair users AND a stable static platform for more mobile users.
Thank you to all who helped the project "launch" so successfully. Check out the video with a click to the picture of Mike Weaver from the Friends of Little Buffalo using the static launch side of the dock. There are a lot more parks who quite understandably want these so feel free to donate any time at ppffoutdoorsforeveryone.
Secondly is the latest in PPFF Marci's series of beginning camper tips - this one on what to know when you arrive at your state park campsite. And again, give a click to the pic to see the video.
Are there are other tips you'd like know? She'll be campground hosting most weekends through the late fall and will have plenty of opportunities to show you around. Visit our YouTube channel for these and other videos from the camera crew at PPFF.
The various PPFF chapters are out and about again - working as best they can in the heat and the other challenges of a pandemic summer. The Friends of Ridley Creek report that their regular "first Saturday" trail work days are on hiatus but that small groups are working on an ad hoc basis to keep the trails open and user-friendly. Ridley Creek, like all of the parks and forests, has seen an exponential increase in use.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Weiser State Forest (Greenland/Haldeman) had 11 people out for a trail re-route on the Luke's Trail with more work to come. And the Lackawanna State Park Trail Care Crew is not letting heat or coronavirus stand in the way of their trail care work. Check out this beautiful connector trail from Basset Path / South Branch and Ziegler trails, eliminating a road ride/hike.
And then there's the new metal-roofed woodshed built by the Friends of Caledonia and the wonderful park maintenance staff. With the Friends of Caledonia and several other chapters, your purchase of firewood supports the great work they do for the park every day.
In a stop the presses post that came in Thursday afternoon just as I was about to schedule this for launch this morning, the Friends of White Clay Creek are going to be needing some help pending post-Isaias flooding. No, this is NOT a water trail. Normally.
We are so proud of the work these folks do in challenging times and with a smile. Keep an eye on our calendar of events for more opportunities to work out your quarantine frustrations in a park- (or forest-) positive manner!
Pictures of the Week
Catching up with this week's #TrailTuesdays on the DCNR (State Forest trails) and PA State Parks (State Parks) Facebook pages and one from last week.
An always-favorite walk is the Bog Trail. In any season, the bog is a true wonder. And there's a very nice kiosk at the entry to the trail (shameless Bill Metzger promotional note).
Here's a fun one located at the Forbes district office near Laughlintown in Westmoreland County. You might recall your support of the PA Outdoor Corps helped build the first part of this trail outside the district office. Into the woods!
The York Outdoor Adventurers recently paid a physically distanced visit to Trough Creek State Park and the suspension bridge. This looks like a very active group! And it will be fun to have people in this week's jigsaw. Give it a go.
Last week's missed state forest trail was also from the Forbes, albeit in the more isolated Roaring Run Natural Area.
At Work and Play in the Parks and Forests
As noted previously, events (involving fewer than 25 people) have returned. In any instance, it is always wise to make a call to the appropriate park office or sponsoring organization to make sure an event is truly going to take place or that space is available.
These and other fun events and fulfilling volunteer opportunities can be found on the PPFF events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events. Bookmark them and you'll never miss the boat (or hike or pedal).
I literally had more answers to last week's question than any other in the history of Take Five! Mostly "correct" ones and many who had the same opinion as me as to the purpose of the "mystery pole" in the campgrounds.
It is, indeed, a lantern hook. Not, as I always assumed, a place to hang your food (or trash) to keep it away from animals. Not that this is an incorrect answer by any stretch as that is the purpose to which many campers put the thing. My favorite came from Raccoon Creek campground host, Joanne, who said they use it to hang their fern basket. A lovely little touch of home! (And we never argue with a campground host!)
Of course, the source of the question is our "camping enhancements campaign" to raise money to replace or add (among other things) some of these lantern hooks). Visit our online store to "buy one." Maybe your next site will boast one you helped to place!
And thank you to all who have donated to the cause so far.
That wrapped up July and my winner, randomly selected from all correct entries for the month, is Poconos Larry. Congratulations, trivia buff.
So to kick off August, today is National Lighthouse Day. What Pennsylvania state park boasts a lighthouse?
Send your answer to me and I'll enter you into the month's random drawing for a goodie from the prize closet if you answer correctly. Enter each week for more chances to win.
Where Are We?
Places boxed in red are from photos and calendar listings; the white boxes illustrate the "upcoming" events. Click it to see it bigger.
The Friends of White Clay Creek's picture came in too late for me to add them to this map but they are very easy to find, down there in the "bowl" between Pennsylvania and Delaware.
In Closing
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Meanwhile, the 
And then there's the new metal-roofed woodshed built by the Friends of Caledonia and the wonderful park maintenance staff. With the Friends of Caledonia and several other chapters, your purchase of firewood supports the great work they do for the park every day. 
In a stop the presses post that came in Thursday afternoon just as I was about to schedule this for launch this morning, the Friends of White Clay Creek are going to be needing some help pending post-Isaias flooding. No, this is NOT a water trail. Normally. 
I literally had more answers to last week's question than any other in the history of Take Five! Mostly "correct" ones and many who had the same opinion as me as to the purpose of the "mystery pole" in the campgrounds. 
